Da Dona
Senior Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 134
- 134
Nwoya, Uganda – As the world observed World TB Day on March 24, 2026, Uganda joined global efforts to accelerate the fight against tuberculosis (TB), a disease that remains a major public health threat across Africa.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda sees an estimated 96,000 new TB cases annually. In 2023, around 86,000 TB patients were diagnosed, leaving approximately 10,000 cases undetected and untreated, which allows continued transmission within communities. Despite this burden, TB is treatable and curable, with Uganda achieving a 90% treatment success rate.
Addressing communities in Nwoya District, one of Uganda’s high-burden TB areas, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng highlighted the government’s commitment to early detection and treatment. “TB may not show all signs. Even if you have only one symptom, please get tested,” she urged. “The government has put in place many tools for early detection of TB.”
These tools include mobile clinic vans that carry out X-rays and check-ups in communities, as well as follow-ups for people who test positive, including home visits to screen family members.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) calls for concerted continental action to fight TB, stressing that the disease is preventable and curable, yet still claims thousands of lives due to gaps in detection and care. Africa CDC urged African countries to invest in health systems, strengthen surveillance, and ensure timely treatment.
“We can get rid of TB,” Minister Aceng said, emphasizing that timely testing, treatment adherence, and community engagement are key to ending the disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda sees an estimated 96,000 new TB cases annually. In 2023, around 86,000 TB patients were diagnosed, leaving approximately 10,000 cases undetected and untreated, which allows continued transmission within communities. Despite this burden, TB is treatable and curable, with Uganda achieving a 90% treatment success rate.
Addressing communities in Nwoya District, one of Uganda’s high-burden TB areas, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng highlighted the government’s commitment to early detection and treatment. “TB may not show all signs. Even if you have only one symptom, please get tested,” she urged. “The government has put in place many tools for early detection of TB.”
These tools include mobile clinic vans that carry out X-rays and check-ups in communities, as well as follow-ups for people who test positive, including home visits to screen family members.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) calls for concerted continental action to fight TB, stressing that the disease is preventable and curable, yet still claims thousands of lives due to gaps in detection and care. Africa CDC urged African countries to invest in health systems, strengthen surveillance, and ensure timely treatment.
“We can get rid of TB,” Minister Aceng said, emphasizing that timely testing, treatment adherence, and community engagement are key to ending the disease.